Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-08-12

give that to me. I'll give it to Miss
Christie. Never mind, says |, half
way up the stairs-'don' you trouble.
And she made a grab at me. but l was
too quick for her. and up l run; and
here it is, miss"
And she slapped the parcel down
upon the table triumphantly. 20
THANK You. Jane" l said quietly.
at is only some work for the church
from Miss Reade."
Janesrace fell a little; and then, as
if struck by fresh thought. she gig
gled again. cut the string and
opened the parcel to prove the truth Of
my words. and showed her the red
flannel and the wheat-ears. which were
to be sOwn on III letters to form q text.
But in the middle was another note,
and a box wrapped up in paper, both
directed to Miss Christie;" and at
sight OF these little James delight grew
lrrepressible again.
Il knew it," she began: but stopped
herself and said: Il beg your pardon,
miss and left the room very de-
murely.
But heard another burst of merri-
ment as she ran down stairs. Then |
opened the note; it only said:
DEAR Miss CHRIsrIE-I lake the liberty of
sending You few late TO es from tree in
sheltered corner where the rain can not
spoil them. hope they won't smell of cigars;
could not find II better box l will call to
fetch the text, if you will let me know when
"LAUKENCE READE."
The roses were in cigar-box, and
% lone t1.1. In ctnl thn,,
Of any thing but tobacco; but began
to think that perfume nicer than theiI
| own.
was so happy that evening that l
was glad when MIR. Rayner asked me
to accompany his violin. 1t was half
after ten before we ceased playing the
passionate and sweet music he had Sc
| lected from III TrovatOre' and similar
operas.
When we had finished, Mr.. Rayner
put down his violin, and, drawing a
chair close to my music-stool, ran his
fingers over the keys of the piano.
do you know the words? 'Tio che
sdpete che cos edmore,' he sung softly.
do you know what that means?"
"Oh, yes!" said /, rather proud of
showing off my small knowledge of
Italian. You know what love is y"
drew my music-stool a little back,
and listened while he sung it softly
through. l had never known a love-
song touch me like that before. When
he had finished he turned round. did
not move or speak, and he jumped up.
walked to the shutters and unbarred
them and threw open the windows.
II am suffocating. Oh. for Vene-
tian balcony!" said he. "Come here.
little woman"
rose and obeyed. He threw a
wooden antilnacassar round my head
and shoulders, and drew me to the
window.
"Look up there, child, at the moon
through the tree-tops. Wouldn't you
like to be in Venice, listening by moon
light to those sweet songs in the very
native land of the love they sing about?
would give the whole world to be
there at this moment with the woman
love. Icould make her understand
there!''
Twas struck by the passionate ten
derness in his voice, and suddenly
made up my mind to be very bold.
Then why don't you take her there,
Mr.. Rayner?" l said, earnestly.
As l spoke, smiling at him and
speaking as gently as could, though
felt terribly frightened at my own bold
ness, his eyes seemed to grow darker,
and his whole face lighted up in an ex.
traordinary way. l saw my words had
made an impression, so l went on
eagerly, pressing nervously the hand
with which he was holding mine, for
was still afraid lest my audacity should
offend him.
"Mr. Rayner. forgive me for speak
ing about this; but you spoke first
didn't you? have so often wondered
why you didn't take her away. II
seems SO hard that you, who want
sympathy SO much-you know you
have often told me so-should have to
live, as you say, a shut-up life. on &C
count of the apathy of the woman to
whom you are bound"
He seemed to drink in my words a
II they contained an elixir; could fee
}. by his hand that he was actually trem
bling; and l grew more assured my
! self
"Now, if you were to take her away
!, although you might have difficulty al
first in persuading her to 60, and forcs
her, with the kind force you know how
to use, to 90 among fresh faces ant
,, fresh people. believe. she would come
back to life again. and see how much
better you are than other husbands
and love you just as much as ever
Oh. she couldn't help it; you are 81
kind and goodr'
Then my heart sunk, for saw had
; gone too far. As l spoke. from pas
sionately eager, he looked surprised
puzzled, and then his face clouded owe
with cold frown that chilled me will
u fear and shame. drew my hand on
of his quickly, and stepped back int
> the room. He followed and took my
hand again.
Never mind, little one; you hay,
t not offended me by speaking your mint
out; don't be afraid. But you dom
4 know. you can not guess-how man,
, or how deep mans cares may b.
!. while he is obliged to bear brav,
I front TO the world. think you woult
be sorry for me if you knew them"
Il am sorry even without KNOWN:
q them," ! said, softly.
l He bent down over me and locke
? into my eyes for a few moments. Thel
8 he raised his head, and laughc,
D lightly.
t You are fraud. Great gray eye
: ought to be passionate, and yours ar
: as cold as lake on a still day. l be
. lieve you are an Undine! You have n,
|. SOUL"
{ "Oh, Mr.. Rayner!' / said, mourn
fully. and l turned slowly to the plan
8 to put away the music.
''Never mind; l will do that" sal,
: he, in his usual tone. II have KEEP
you long enough. Goodnight, Un
4 dine"
Twas almost afraid he would agail
1 want to kiss me, and, after offendin,
8 him once, should not have dared t
: refuse. So shook hands as hastily a
] could, took my candle and ran up
D stairs. l was very angry with mysel
t for having been cold and unsympathet
I ic-I had not meant to be so at all.
D But the fact was had been thinkin!
4 the whole evening of MIR. Laurenc
Q Reade.